My journey so far

[Nat88 13]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been a long time reader of this forum, but a first time writer 😁.

Today marks 5 months since I had the gastric sleeve and I thought I would share my journey so far. While I was prepping for the surgery, these posts helped me so much so maybe my story can help some people too.

I was 310 lbs during my first meeting with my doctor. I didnt have to do a pre-op diet but between my first meeting and surgery, I lost 10 lbs so I was down to 300 lbs day of surgery. I weighed in today, and I am currently 210 lbs. I can’t even process it, I havent ever been this weight during my adult life.

My surgery went very well, but I did have alot of complications after the surgery. You know how you read about them but never think it will actually happen to you.. well it happened to me haha. I was good for about a week after surgery, and then I got a kidney stone. Of course I automatically assumed something was going on with my sleeve because of my symptoms ( neausea, stomach pain, vomiting etc), ended up going to the ER after two days and it turned out to be a kidney stone. I also became dehydrated during this time because I couldn’t keep anything down. They didn’t admit me that day and I passed the stone but I was constantly throwing up and my stomach pretty much became irritated and inflamed. This lead to a vicious cycle of constantly trying to take in fluids but not being able to keep it down at all. I went through about a week of hell - would wake up neausous, throw up the entire day and go to sleep neausous. Neausea meds didn’t help, I couldnt even get them down because any sip of Water would make me neusous. Eventually, I became super weak, my hands and feet started cramping up and honestly I felt like crap, regretted my decision to have this surgery. I was admitted to the hospital - my heart rate and bp were super low, my liver was getting messed up and I was beyond dehydrated. I stayed in the hospital for about 5 days and left feeling much better. hindsight, I should have gone to the doctor / hospital earlier...

Since then, I have been feeling great! Its definitely an adjustment and some days are harder than others but so worth it! Even with all the complications I had starting out, I would go through with the surgery again in a heart beat. My life has changed because of it.

I’m fairly young - 30 years old - and I had high blood pressure. My blood pressure is now normal. My knees don’t hurt anymore when I walk. I can keep up with friends. I have so much energy now. Its crazy but I didn’t realize how sluggish and tired I felt until I started not feeling that way..

My quality of life has improved so much and I am no where near done yet. I’m so grateful for my tool. Like everyone says, wls is definitely not the easy way out. I put in work physically and emotionally everyday. I work out 5 times a week and eat clean. Changing my mindset amd emotional attachment to food is a process. But I couldn’t have done it without the surgery for sure.

Anyway sorry for the long post! But like I said reading about others’ experiences was so helpful to me so I figured I would share just incase others find it helpful as well.

[KimTriesRNY 1,853]

Congratulations!

I hope you continue to make your goals and post!

[blackhawkpro 39]

Congrats

[GradyCat 3,695]

Sorry about the complications, but it sounds like you're okay now. Wow, what a huge weight loss so quickly! Congrats and good luck on the rest of your weight loss journey. I'm in it for the long haul.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

1 hour ago, Nat88 said:

surgery went well, but I did have complications

@Nat88

wow - lots of ups and downs. but that is the truth behind WLS.

in the end, everything has worked out for you. 100 lbs down in 5 months!!!

keep up the good work for the rest of your healthier, happier, life

kathy

congrats

[Bari_KS 499]

What an inspiring story. Congratulations! You went through a lot. But you also achieved a lot. Amazing.

[Frustr8 7,886]

Other hard journeys do not discourage me, instead I am inspired to keep on with my own bumpy journey, some are smooth like a log flume ride, some are like a twisting and turning amusement rollercoaster but we all seem to find our finish l8ne in the end, don't we?😝

[GreenTealael 25,406]

4 hours ago, Nat88 said:

Hi everyone,

I’ve been a long time reader of this forum, but a first time writer 😁.

Today marks 5 months since I had the gastric sleeve and I thought I would share my journey so far. While I was prepping for the surgery, these posts helped me so much so maybe my story can help some people too.

I was 310 lbs during my first meeting with my doctor. I didnt have to do a pre-op diet but between my first meeting and surgery, I lost 10 lbs so I was down to 300 lbs day of surgery. I weighed in today, and I am currently 210 lbs. I can’t even process it, I havent ever been this weight during my adult life.

My surgery went very well, but I did have alot of complications after the surgery. You know how you read about them but never think it will actually happen to you.. well it happened to me haha. I was good for about a week after surgery, and then I got a kidney stone. Of course I automatically assumed something was going on with my sleeve because of my symptoms ( neausea, stomach pain, vomiting etc), ended up going to the ER after two days and it turned out to be a kidney stone. I also became dehydrated during this time because I couldn’t keep anything down. They didn’t admit me that day and I passed the stone but I was constantly throwing up and my stomach pretty much became irritated and inflamed. This lead to a vicious cycle of constantly trying to take in fluids but not being able to keep it down at all. I went through about a week of hell - would wake up neausous, throw up the entire day and go to sleep neausous. Neausea meds didn’t help, I couldnt even get them down because any sip of Water would make me neusous. Eventually, I became super weak, my hands and feet started cramping up and honestly I felt like crap, regretted my decision to have this surgery. I was admitted to the hospital - my heart rate and bp were super low, my liver was getting messed up and I was beyond dehydrated. I stayed in the hospital for about 5 days and left feeling much better. hindsight, I should have gone to the doctor / hospital earlier...

Since then, I have been feeling great! Its definitely an adjustment and some days are harder than others but so worth it! Even with all the complications I had starting out, I would go through with the surgery again in a heart beat. My life has changed because of it.

I’m fairly young - 30 years old - and I had high blood pressure. My blood pressure is now normal. My knees don’t hurt anymore when I walk. I can keep up with friends. I have so much energy now. Its crazy but I didn’t realize how sluggish and tired I felt until I started not feeling that way..

My quality of life has improved so much and I am no where near done yet. I’m so grateful for my tool. Like everyone says, wls is definitely not the easy way out. I put in work physically and emotionally everyday. I work out 5 times a week and eat clean. Changing my mindset amd emotional attachment to food is a process. But I couldn’t have done it without the surgery for sure.

Anyway sorry for the long post! But like I said reading about others’ experiences was so helpful to me so I figured I would share just incase others find it helpful as well.

💜Congratulations💜

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Holy cow! Thanks for sharing and welcome to coming out of lurkdom! Post often! Congrats on being 100lbs lighter and on getting control of things. So happy for you.

[Jobber 321]

I certainly understand about being a lurker here, I barely post and when I do its either because I've hit a new milestone in my journey or I feel very strongly about something. I feel like I know the regular posters here, but just can't bring myself to comment nearly as much as most do.

I'm having my surgery in less than 3 weeks and I'm both nervous as heck and excited about the new lifestyle changes coming my way. I do not plan to waste this opportunity.

Thank you for sharing your story, its inspirational.

[Nat88 13]

Thank you everyone!